AA-amyloidosis in captive northern tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri)

Abstract

A high prevalence of AA-amyloidosis was identified in a breeding colony of northern tree shrews ( Tupaia belangeri) in a retrospective analysis, with amyloid deposits in different organs being found in 26/36 individuals (72%). Amyloid deposits, confirmed by Congo red staining, were detected in kidneys, intestines, skin, and lymph nodes, characteristic of systemic amyloidosis. Immunohistochemically, the deposited amyloid was intensely positive with anti-AA-antibody (clone mc4), suggesting AA-amyloidosis. The kidneys were predominantly affected (80%), where amyloid deposits ranged from mild to severe and was predominantly located in the renal medulla. In addition, many kidneys contained numerous cysts with atrophy of the renal parenchyma. There was no significant association between concurrent neoplastic or inflammatory processes and amyloidosis. The lack of distinctive predisposing factors suggests a general susceptibility of captive T. belangeri to develop amyloidosis. Clinical and laboratory findings of a female individual with pronounced kidney alterations were indicative of renal failure. The observed tissue tropism with pronounced kidney alterations, corresponding renal dysfunction, and an overall high prevalence suggests amyloidosis as an important disease in captive tree shrews.

Amiloidosis sistémica AA: un problema potencial de salud pública

“…Existen estudios observacionales en animales silvestres en cautiverio, que han reportado una alta prevalencia de amiloidosis: mono Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) (Blanchard et al, 1986;Rice et al, 2013, Leung et al, 2019, guepardos (Acinonyx jubatus) (Papendick et al, 1997;Zhang et al, 2008;Franklin et al, 2016), monos tití ( Callithrix jacchus), macacos cola de cerdo (Macaca nemestrina) (Rice et al, 2013;Hukkanen et al, 2006), halcones de caza (Hampel et al, 2009), berrendos (Antilocapra americana) (Martínez et al, 2019), tejones (Meles meles) (Bianco et al, 2020 ), caracales (Caracal caracal) (Greunz et al, 2020); gorriones capuchinos del Japón (Lonchura striata var. domestica) (Nakano & Madarame, 2020) y tupayas (Tupaia belangeri) (Klein et al, 2021) Lo mismo ha sido observado en vida silvestre en especies como: zorros isleños (Urocyon littoralis) (Gaffney et al, 2016), zorros rojos (Vulpes vulpes) (Rising et al, 2017), gaviotas (Larus argentatus) (Jansson et al, 2018)y ballenas de pico de Stejneger (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) (Nakagun et al, 2019;Nakagun et al, 2020), entre otros.…”